[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army":3,"chapter-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-653":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","A Little Soldier of the Late Ming Border Army",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1205942,1561,"Chapter 653: Hope (Part 3)","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-653",653,"\u003Cp>At noon the next day, they finally began eating, and could even see oil-cooked meat slices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That day was still uneventful; only in the afternoon did the steward gather everyone to explain the various matters concerning entering Xuanfu Town. On the morning of the third day, after drinking gruel early, around the hour of Chen, there was again a stir outside each room — every household was issued a blue booklet, with the information of the entire family, old and young, gathered within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was their pass and credential for Xuanfu Town, not to be lost; also, every two months they needed to report to the Civil Affairs Department for renewal. Only the green booklet required renewal once every two years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding the blue booklets, many people were extremely excited. At last, they could live in Xuanfu Town.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the hour of Si, looking at the dense crowd, a man who looked like a medical officer nodded to a steward-in-charge, indicating that none among these people had epidemic disease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let them pass.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward waved his hand, the barricade opened, and the dense crowd filed out in order. Passing through a long passageway, their eyes suddenly brightened, feeling the sunlight dazzling. At the end of the passageway was something like a bustling market town; as far as the eye could see, there were streams of people everywhere and all kinds of clamorous noise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Refugee packs, refugee packs, refugee packs produced by the Zhao Family Backpack Factory — attractive and elegant, economical and practical. Even if you don't buy, come take a look!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Steamed buns, steamed buns, Wu Dalang steamed buns, First Year Chongzhen Tongbao, one wen each, one fills you up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yongning City fatty-meat noodles, one copper coin buys two large bowls, with vegetables and meat — even the Marquis praised them after eating.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lai Mancheng Cart and Horse Agency, reaches every corner of Xuanfu Town...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hiring, hiring, come quickly and see...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the scene before them — people coming and going, bustling and full of vitality — many of those who had left the pass stood dumbly, feeling somewhat at a loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xiangqing also stared dumbly. In that instant, the impact on his heart was immense. His wife, née Yang, along with their son and daughter, clutched tightly at his sleeves. From now on, they would have to make a living in Xuanfu Town, the whole family. Could they survive in this place?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking to the left, there seemed to be a dense flow of people, and the clanging of brass gongs could be heard. Many in the crowd were also surging in that direction. Mister Li recalled that in the shelter, the steward had mentioned a job placement office. He said cautiously, \"Let's go over there and look.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They passed a tall wooden pillar, on which hung a large wooden sign. Written upon it in a bold, sweeping script were several large characters: \"Employment Placement Office.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below was the signature, again two characters: \"Wang Dou.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then ahead was a level ground, the surface solid and smooth, paved with fine sand. Not far away, rows upon rows of large sheds stood, partitioned into small rooms. In front of each room was placed a large wooden board, pasted with large red paper, on which something was written in eye-catching script. There were also loud-voiced clerks shouting with all their might.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey! The Zheng Family Agricultural Firm is widely recruiting for farming teams, herding teams, and mining teams! Clothing and food provided, room and board included. Generous wages — within two years, a green booklet in hand!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yangwei Security Bureau widely recruits armed escorts and swordsmen! Our bureau has solid strength. On the route from Baoanzhou to Taiyuan, we have never failed, having excellently completed many escort commissions, widely praised and trusted by shopkeepers and proprietors of all kinds. Currently the bureau has one hundred fifty swordsman-level escorts, including many retired military men joining. Due to expansion, the bureau now recruits a number of escorts. Those physically strong, with military, household guard, or security bureau experience preferred; those who can speak Mandarin preferred. Recruitment requirements: lift a stone lock twenty times without panting, and hold out for five moves against a field-recruit escort without being defeated...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xiangqing brought his family and squeezed together with the crowd, passing in order before each room, discovering that the recruitment notices were extremely abundant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pangjiabao Iron Mine sincerely recruits three hundred miners. Clothing and food provided, room and board included. Generous wages — within two years, a green booklet in hand. Recruitment requirements: physically strong, hardworking and enduring, those who can speak Mandarin preferred. This mine solemnly promises: for injury or disability, compensation will certainly be provided.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Liu Family Garment Factory: this factory undertakes year-round sewing of military uniforms and armor for the army and various forts and villages. Orders are stable, scale is vast. Currently there are over a thousand seamstresses of skilled craftsmanship. Due to continuous expansion, we recruit seamstresses year-round. Requirements: age fourteen to sixty, must excel in skills such as spinning and weaving, tailoring, and embroidery; those who can speak Mandarin preferred. Compensation: base monthly salary of three dou of rice, calculated by the piece, more work more pay. This factory solemnly promises: rest promptly at the hour of You; no overtime at night.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below this notice, there was also a line of small characters: \"This factory has solid strength. The proprietress, Lady Yang, is the widow of Right Commandant Yang, an old acquaintance of the Marquis of Yongning from a beacon tower. If you are honest and willing to work, in a year and a half you can obtain a green booklet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A green booklet in a year and a half.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xiangqing's wife, née Yang, brightened. She had also studied and could read the characters written above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Men till and women weave; many women in the Great Ming could weave a fine cloth. Lady Yang was the same, and in tailoring skills she also had deep attainments. Looking at the treatment above, it was not bad — a base salary of three dou of rice a month, plus more work more pay, which could greatly supplement the household income.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the shelter, everyone had inquired and learned that in Xuanfu Town, obtaining a green booklet generally took about two years. Being able to get a green booklet in a year and a half was truly tempting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They continued looking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Pang Family Vegetable Garden recruits vegetable workers. Under the governance of the wise, benevolent, and virtuous Marquis of Yongning, Grand General Wang, Xuanfu Town grows more prosperous by the day. The demand for all kinds of vegetables in every city and fort keeps expanding. Anxious for the needs of soldiers and civilians, mindful of the common people's wishes, the Pang Family Vegetable Garden continuously expands its scale. Currently there are five hundred mu of vegetable fields, with all kinds of vegetables complete. Now recruiting a number of vegetable workers; those with vegetable-growing experience preferred, those who can speak Mandarin preferred.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Meiyusuo Large Livestock Farm is hiring. This farm provides stable meat supplies annually to various cured-meat factories and meat-canning factories. Due to the need for expanded scale, the farm now hires workers; cattle herders and sheep herders preferred, veterinarians preferred, those who can speak Mandarin preferred.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were also various stone-quarrying teams hiring, nail factories hiring, well-digging teams hiring, waterwheel factories hiring, honeycomb-coal factories hiring, cotton fields hiring, spinning and weaving factories hiring — making one marvel at the multitude of workshops and factories in Xuanfu Town. And how many hands would so many factories need? The rumors from outside that in Xuanfu Town everyone had work to do were indeed true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All kinds of notices were written conspicuously in large red paper on the wooden boards. Considering that many refugees were illiterate, there were also many loud-voiced clerks shouting them out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly Li Xiangqing's eyes lit up: \"The Lai Family Estate recruits clerks and accountants year-round. Once hired, generous treatment. Requirements: must have a Han-registered guarantor, can write fluently, familiar with the three-column accounting method; Licentiates preferred, Provincial Graduates exempt from examination.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Zheng Family Agricultural Firm widely recruits clerks and accountants. Once hired, generous treatment. Requirements: must have a Han-registered guarantor, can write fluently, familiar with the three-column accounting method; Licentiates preferred, Provincial Graduates exempt from examination...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Starting from these two places, rows of rooms were all recruiting clerks and accountants, basically requiring a Han-registered guarantor. This was no problem for himself — his friend in Baoanzhou was a Han registrant, and he would certainly act as his guarantor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stone in Li Xiangqing's heart finally dropped. At last, he had the capital to survive in Xuanfu Town.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, what he wanted to do was to engage in some trade in Xuanfu Town and continue doing business. However, without entering naturalized registration and without obtaining a green booklet, one had no right to open shops or set up factories or engage in commerce in Xuanfu Town. Although being an itinerant peddler was possible, that was not what he wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His wife, beside him, was also all smiles like a flower. The two exchanged a glance, both beaming with joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xiangqing smiled and said, \"Come, let's go to the Silver Coin Department over there to exchange some silver and copper coins.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shelter stewards had all said that in Xuanfu Town, apart from silver coins, copper coins, and First Year Chongzhen Tongbao, all else was prohibited from circulation. Of course, grain tickets could also be used. At the Silver Coin Department, one could exchange for silver coins, and could also exchange for grain tickets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just that for outsiders like Li Xiangqing, they basically harbored doubts about slips of paper like grain tickets — after all, the lesson of the Great Ming paper notes was profound. Without hesitation, they all wanted to exchange for silver and copper coins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhao Gezhai branch of the Silver Coin Department was in the right-side area, a two-story small building, leaning by the river, with several large locust trees beside it, the environment somewhat quiet and secluded. Before the family had even reached the door, they heard a rich voice coming from behind: \"Worthy younger brother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xiangqing turned around in delighted surprise: \"Elder Brother Zhou.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He started — before his eyes was a middle-aged man, dressed in luxurious clothes, sporting a slight paunch, holding a smoking pipe, walking with a splayed gait. Compared to the thin, haggard, and purse-pinched Zhou Houren, Elder Brother Zhou, in his memory, his image could be said to have changed greatly. Behind him followed a hanger-on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the two exchanged salutes, Li Xiangqing still stammered: \"Elder Brother Zhou, you...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Houren laughed heartily: \"Your elder brother has changed quite a bit, hasn't he? Can't be helped — constant socializing, bound to put on some weight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked toward Li Xiangqing's wife, Lady Yang: \"This is my younger brother's wife, I presume? I often hear my worthy younger brother mention you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lady Yang hurriedly performed a curtsy with a deep bow and said, \"I pay my respects to Uncle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also met Li Xiangqing's son and daughter — the eldest son twelve, the young daughter ten. Zhou Houren said affectionately, \"Good, good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached out and, from the hands of the hanger-on beside him, took two refugee packs, finely made and far more attractive than those issued by the shelter, then gave them to Li Xiangqing's son and daughter. Inside each refugee pack were candies, pastries, preserved fruits and the like, as well as gifts like silk kerchiefs that girls liked and small daggers that boys liked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xiangqing's son and daughter, however, were quite well-bred and looked at their father to see whether they could accept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the longing looks of his children, Li Xiangqing could only signal them to accept, and then clasped his hands again: \"I've troubled Elder Brother Zhou to be so extravagant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Houren waved it off: \"You and I are brothers — what kind of friendship is this, to speak of such trifles?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching his son fondle the small dagger, unable to put it down, he laughed heartily again: \"I just knew — as long as they're little fellows, there aren't many who don't like swords and spears.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the Silver Coin Department branch before them, he asked Li Xiangqing: \"Does my worthy younger brother wish to exchange for silver coins?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xiangqing said, \"Exactly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Houren smiled: \"No rush. Let's talk about it when we get to Baoanzhou.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, he led the couple to the branch shop of the Lai Mancheng Cart and Horse Agency. A steward came out to greet them, exclaiming, \"Clerk Zhou, every time I see you, you look more and more prosperous. See here — you've just opened a honeycomb-coal factory, and now a nail factory. Three days without seeing you, and one must look at you with fresh eyes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Houren laughed heartily: \"All thanks to the meal the Marquis has granted us to eat.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, he had already swiftly arranged a carriage. He slapped out a stack of paper that looked like grain tickets; Li Xiangqing didn't even see the denominations clearly. At the same moment, a thought stirred in his heart — Zhou Houren had already tossed a word of instruction to the driver: \"Eat well and sleep well along the way. You make the arrangements, and if there's extra, it's yours as a reward.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Li Xiangqing's family and Zhou Houren boarded the carriage. The vehicle slowly started moving. Watching the scenery outside the window and listening to Brother Zhou's ceaseless introductions, Li Xiangqing's heart raced with longing. He felt some apprehension about the future, yet at the same time, was full of hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get on, everyone get on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xingxiang, Old Man Zheng, and a large crowd of refugees — all wearing new clothes and carrying large and small escape packs, heading to various tun-forts to farm — also came out through the passage at the same time. Their exit area was different. On the flat ground outside, vehicles were also densely packed, indeed special carriages sent to welcome them, all two-horse flatbed carts, each capable of seating many people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The convoy heads toward Henanzhai, Mashuikou, Xiejiapu, Sunzhuangbao, Huailaicheng, Jimingyi, Xuanfuzhencheng, Zhangjiakou, and other places. Within a few days, you will reach your tun-forts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage rumbled along. Watching the scenery on both sides, everyone felt some apprehension about the future, yet at the same time, was full of hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aiya, baobao!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Father Han, Mother Han, and the others came out of the pass, they saw not far away several sturdy horses. Beside the horses stood some young men wearing three-peaked hats, dressed in embroidered uniforms, with waist sabers at their sides — every one of them imposing and distinguished in bearing. Those passing by all looked at them with envious and awed eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mother Han had sharp eyes and spotted her son at a single glance. Although her son had grown more mature and handsome, she still recognized him instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She spread her arms wide, rushed forward, and pulled her son into her embrace, weeping uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as she finished crying, his three older sisters came forward, each weeping like pear blossoms in the rain, hugging Han Kaizheng and calling \"baobao, baobei\" without end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the three sisters stepped away, the three brothers-in-law came forward. They were all stout men, and ordinarily doted on Han Kaizheng just as much, also calling him baobao just as their wives did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Rongcheng and the others nearby, seeing Mother Han's group calling him \"baobei\" at every turn, could hardly suppress their amusement, yet were too embarrassed to laugh out loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Kaizheng was somewhat embarrassed, but still silently embraced his family. Then Father Han stepped forward, looked at his son, smiled with satisfaction, and said, \"My son has done very well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, everyone boarded the carriages. Han Kaizheng had long since hired several large carts from Lai Mancheng's carriage firm. Everyone took their seats one by one. Before boarding, Mother Han clicked her tongue in praise a few times: \"These carriages and horses are truly impressive. I just wonder whether they were expensive or cheap.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She firmly pulled her son to sit beside her and questioned him without pause the whole journey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What? That Zhao... Zhao something, is your superior? Aiya, look at your mother being so discourteous. Neglecting a superior is no good. Baobao, you must maintain good relations with your superiors... No, once we get off, your mother must prepare a gift.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aiya, you bought a residence in Yongningcheng? How many silver taels did it cost? Was it expensive or cheap?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I never imagined my son could marry the daughter of a Regional Commander's household. Green smoke rises from our Han family ancestral graves... Still, this counts as our family marrying up. A young lady of high status — will they bully the husband's family in the future? This daughter-in-law, your mother must take a good look at her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in the carriage behind, the eldest brother-in-law's voice rang out from one of the vehicles: \"Once we reach Xuanfu, I must put my full abilities to use...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriages and horses slowly faded into the distance, until they rounded the mountain spur and disappeared from sight. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to Qidian to cast recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)\u003C\u002Fp>",2927,"2026-06-03T14:06:10.567Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","71ffabe06ecde3665d3a7a13a3ebce346305749c201e40ec2880893dec86155a","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-654","a-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-chapter-652",896,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-little-soldier-of-the-late-ming-border-army-cover.jpg"]